Silver Lake Campground (WY)

At just under 10,500 feet, Silver Lake Campground is the highest elevation campground on the Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District. It opens in late June or early July depending on snow depth. The campground is beside the Snowy Range Scenic Byway on Silver Lake, and provides easy access to exploring the trails, lakes, streams and glacial landscapes of the area. There are 17 campsites able to accommodate tents, trailers and RVs, including 3 RV pull-throughs for trailers under 32 feet. Sites are equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings, and the campground offers vault toilets, potable water, trash receptacles and fire grates, with a 14 day stay limit. There are two trailheads at the campground. The Snowy Range contains a network of hiking trails suitable for day hiking and for extended, backcountry trips. Streams and over 100 lakes in the area provide a variety of challenging recreational-fishing opportunities. Winter activities in the area include snowshoeing and skiing. The Snowy Range rises from sagebrush and lodgepole pine forests in lower elevations to spruce-fir forests and alpine areas in the high country. The area offers views of rugged peaks over 12,000 feet, gorgeous snow-melt lakes and stunning displays of native wildflowers. Popular attractions near this campground include Silver Lake, Lake Marie Falls, Mirror Lake, Medicine Bow Peak Trail, French Creek Canyon Trail and Miners Cabin Trail. Silver Lake can be accessed using the Silver Lake Trail that surrounds the lake; the lake is 17 acres in size with a maximum water depth of 25 feet, and brook trout reside in it. The Snowy Range Scenic Byway is a 29-mile stretch of paved road that crosses through spectacular alpine habitats.